
Hong Kong's celebrity panda twins to get their own stamps on Aug 15
HONG KONG – A set of commemorative stamps featuring the city's first-ever locally born giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De, formerly known as Elder Sister and Little Brother, will debut on Aug 15, with its official first day cover going on sale this Friday.
The stamps, issued by Hongkong Post, comprise a set of six of HK$23.6 ($3), two stamp sheetlets of HK$10 and HK$20, and other related collectibles, depicting key moments in the cubs' early lives.
First day covers will be available from August 1 at all post offices and the online shopping mall ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk).
August 15 marks the first birthday of the pigeon pair cubs. They were born to Ying Ying and Le Le, two giant pandas gifted by the Central Government in 2007, with Ying Ying becoming the world's oldest first-time mother among giant pandas.
The cubs' birth has captured the public's imagination, generating widespread attention over the cubs' progress since their historic arrival. The twins were officially named Jia Jia and De De on May 27, further endearing them to Hong Kong residents.
Their birth is especially significant as it helps advance conservation and breeding efforts for giant pandas in Hong Kong.
A commemorative 'Giant Panda Twin Cubs' cachet will be offered for stamping by members of the public at all post offices from Aug 15, until further notice.
In addition, a date-stamping service will be provided on the same day at all post offices for official first day covers, souvenir covers, and privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address.
Official first day covers are available without purchase limits, while each customer may buy up to five sheets of other special stamps and related products per day during the first two days of issue.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Times
3 hours ago
- Business Times
Hong Kong billionaire developer Tai Hung Fai gets private loan
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong developer Tai Hung Fai Enterprise, founded by billionaire Edwin Leong, has secured a private loan of up to HK$900 million (S$148 million), sources familiar with the matter said, as more property firms turn to such financing. Dignari Capital Partners, an Asian private debt firm, provided the two-year loan, which will go to covering construction costs for a 30-storey office tower in the western part of Hong Kong Island, the sources said. The location at 92-103A Connaught Road West is near a memorial park for the revolutionary Chinese leader Sun Yat-sen, and close to the waterfront with views over the famed Victoria Harbour. Total capital provided for the loan up to the maximum drawdown will depend on construction costs and the needs of the project manager, the sources said. A spokesperson for Tai Hung Fai declined to comment, while Dignari did not respond to requests for comment. Hong Kong developers are increasingly seeking private credit, after China's years-long property debt crisis spilt over into the city, leaving banks wary of piling on more real estate debt as they struggle to handle a growing pile of non-performing loans. In May, Gaw Capital Partners provided a HK$300 million private loan to Hong Kong real estate developer First Group Holdings, while investment firm PAG provided Hong Kong Parkview Group with a HK$300 million private bridge loan, Bloomberg News reported in May. Tai Hung Fai was founded in 1977 by Leong initially as an investment company. It's since evolved into a property development firm with a portfolio of over 450 retail shops, commercial buildings and several hotels, including the Hotel Indigo and Hotel 1936, according to the company's website. Leong has a net worth of US$3.3 billion as at Jul 31, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. BLOOMBERG


Asia News Network
a day ago
- Asia News Network
Hong Kong's celebrity panda twins to get their own stamps on Aug 15
August 1, 2025 HONG KONG – A set of commemorative stamps featuring the city's first-ever locally born giant panda twins Jia Jia and De De, formerly known as Elder Sister and Little Brother, will debut on Aug 15, with its official first day cover going on sale this Friday. The stamps, issued by Hongkong Post, comprise a set of six of HK$23.6 ($3), two stamp sheetlets of HK$10 and HK$20, and other related collectibles, depicting key moments in the cubs' early lives. First day covers will be available from August 1 at all post offices and the online shopping mall ShopThruPost ( August 15 marks the first birthday of the pigeon pair cubs. They were born to Ying Ying and Le Le, two giant pandas gifted by the Central Government in 2007, with Ying Ying becoming the world's oldest first-time mother among giant pandas. The cubs' birth has captured the public's imagination, generating widespread attention over the cubs' progress since their historic arrival. The twins were officially named Jia Jia and De De on May 27, further endearing them to Hong Kong residents. Their birth is especially significant as it helps advance conservation and breeding efforts for giant pandas in Hong Kong. A commemorative 'Giant Panda Twin Cubs' cachet will be offered for stamping by members of the public at all post offices from Aug 15, until further notice. In addition, a date-stamping service will be provided on the same day at all post offices for official first day covers, souvenir covers, and privately made covers bearing the first day of issue indication and a local address. Official first day covers are available without purchase limits, while each customer may buy up to five sheets of other special stamps and related products per day during the first two days of issue.
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business Times
Hong Kong floats looser capital rules to woo mainland homebuyers
[HONG KONG] Hong Kong is seeking ways to ease capital transfer rules for mainland professionals buying property, in a bid to revive its flagging real estate market. The city is in talks with China's central government to study whether a 'suitable framework' could allow more flexible fund transfers without triggering capital flight, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said in a press briefing on Wednesday (Jul 30). Chan's comments were made during discussions on Hong Kong's business environment. Relaxed capital transfer rules could improve Hong Kong's struggling property market. Mainland Chinese buyers have emerged as a major force, purchasing HK$11 billion (S$1.8 billion) worth of residential properties in June alone, according to Midland Realty. In some districts, they accounted for more than half of all new home transactions. Beijing's strict capital controls remain a major hurdle. Mainland residents face significant challenges in moving large sums of money offshore, limiting their ability to invest in Hong Kong real estate. The financial hub's housing market remains stuck in a prolonged slump, with home values showing only limited signs of recovery after seven years of decline. Oversupply and a sluggish economy continue to weigh on sentiment, keeping prices near their lowest levels since 2016, according to government data. BLOOMBERG